Checking for the DNS Changer Trojan
On Monday, thousands of computers around the world will be cut off the web as the servers behind the DNS Changer Trojan Horse are shut down.
What is the DNS Changer Trojan?
The DNS Changer did exactly what the name says – it changed a computer’s Domain Name Service (DNS) settings so that all web traffic went through servers belonging to the virus writers.
Eventually the writers were caught and the computers were seized, in order to avoid disruption the servers were left running but they will be shut down on Monday.
On Monday, those computers still infected won’t be able to surf the net until the problem is fixed.
How Do I Know I’m infected?
As part of the Shutdown, the DNS Changer working group was set up. On their site they have a detection tool website that will tell you if your computer is infected.
How can I fix the problem?
The easiest fix is with the Microsoft Malware Scanner which will check your computer for the DNS Changer virus along with other malware. If the scanner detects a problem it will remove the virus. IT Queries also have instructions on Removing A Trojan.
To prevent further infections, it’s necessary to install an up to date anti virus. A good free one is the Microsoft Security essentials tool.
The DNS Changer Trojan was very effective malware and it illustrates why computer users need to be careful of where they go on the mean streets of the Internet.
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July 10th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Did the DNS Changer Malware really halt the internet? Anyone have any statistics?
July 11th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
No it didn’t and it wasn’t expected to. Most of the ISPs knew which of the customers were infected and the vast majority were home or small business systems.